Featured Guest Speaker Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

We look forward to remarks from our featured guest speaker Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), a tireless advocate for women's causes. She is the first Black woman to represent New Jersey in Congress, and is serving her fourth term in the United States House of Representatives, the continuation of a career in public service advocating for the needs of New Jersey families and the equitable treatment of all people.

Creating Safe Spaces for Gender Identity Discussions in the Black Family/Community

Our impactful discussion will provide essential information towards understanding emerging concepts of gender and provide a safe space for diverse gender identities to discover how we can maintain an inclusive dialogue. Dr. Joan Collier is Assistant Vice President for Equity and Inclusion at Rutgers University Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement. Visit speaker online.

Black Women Showing Up:

The Past 40 Years of Social Action

Learn how the past 40 years of historical research links to specific events and gains within the country. For example, how Black women show up to vote, increases in Black women in office, and examples of peaceful, social change led by Black women. We will explore actions required to increase gains over the next five years. Lezli Baskerville is President & CEO of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO). Visit speaker online.

Balance & Boundaries:

Black Women & Self-Care

As Black women with careers, families, and a vested interest in our communities, we are expected to show up for everyone but ourselves. This discussion invites participants to examine career, relationships, family/friends, health, spiritual life, and more. Do we have new boundaries now? How do we create the whole person? How do we manage it all without burning out? How has the pandemic changed mental health in the workplace or working remotely. Dr. Penn is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine and brings more than 40 years of expertise in Mind Body Medicine. Visit speaker online.

Out of the Box Wealth Generation: A Conversation on Alternative Investments

We will have a practical discussion of real-life applications for women of color who are not affluent, yet want to enjoy financial security. To increase financial literacy, our discussion will cover questions such as, how do we get caught up through insurance, investments, real estate, and cryptocurrency, and how do we think out of the box to turn our limited resources into real wealth. We will review the basics of estate planning and inheritance to build multigenerational wealth, and help participants consider wealth-creation options that are not often discussed. Attorney Crystal West Edwards is a Principal with Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., and focuses on elder law, special needs planning and advocacy, estate planning and estate administration. Visit speaker online.

AADC BAN Jewel Plummer Cobb Sisters Conference Committee

Dorothy Brown Clay ’77, Chair; Tiffany A Francis ‘04, Tiffany Toliver ‘04, Frances Caffie-Wright ‘77, Joy Cara Dingle ‘92, Jess Bagtas ‘15, Denise K. Busby ‘76, Dr. Terry Whitt Bailey ‘86, Bertha Lee Aiken ‘81, Candace Gaddy-Kates ‘14, Candace A. Reynolds ‘09, Karen McLane Torian '73, Cecile Coleman '14, Staff Liaison Lorrie Delaney '18, AADC Executive Director Valerie L. Anderson '81

"Sisterhood" painting by Jaymes Ballard